According to news reports, asbestos was found in Abingdon Elementary School in Virginia.
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) announced nine citations after investigating the school building for issues including but not limited to asbestos. This is the latest story of asbestos found in a U.S. school, continuing the crisis of whether school buildings that have not been renovated recently are safe for teachers and students.
Using Asbestos in Schools and Other Buildings
Asbestos is a dangerous toxin that can cause cancer. People exposed to asbestos can inhale or ingest asbestos, which gets trapped in linings near the person’s lungs or abdominal cavity.
During the 20th century, asbestos was a prized mineral. Organizations and companies used asbestos to build offices, homes, government buildings, and even school buildings. Scientists connected asbestos to cancer toward the end of the century, and now any findings of asbestos in schools raise a proverbial alarm for the safety of inhabitants.
Asbestos in schools today is known as “legacy asbestos.” This refers to asbestos that was installed decades ago and remains hidden within walls, under floor tiles, and above roof tiles. Many schools have not been renovated for decades due to lack of funding, so finding asbestos in school buildings is not unusual even in 2025.
More About Asbestos in Abingdon Elementary
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) announced nine citations for the Washington County Public Schools District after investigating the Abingdon Elementary School building for issues including but not limited to asbestos. The school system’s superintendent stated that the citations involving asbestos have already been addressed.
The school initially discovered asbestos and allegedly made efforts to remediate the toxin and test for further asbestos. The school began renovating its gym floor in August 2024 with the gym sealed off, according to a report by WJHL News Channel 11. During renovation, construction crew members found flooring with asbestos.
Renovation was paused and samples were sent for testing. The tests confirmed asbestos. School officials then learned that dust and debris from the gym might be in a nearby school hallway. That led to a temporary closure of the school.
The school hired a company certified in asbestos remediation. The school informed families that cleanings of both the cafeteria and gym were done. VOSH made an unscheduled visit to the school in October, which did not lead to any new findings of asbestos.
After two months of the gym and cafeteria being closed, school officials planned to open them up again to students and staff. They had been eating in their classrooms since the initial asbestos findings.
VOSH then delivered the citations. Each is labeled as “serious”.
History of Asbestos in Schools
Philadelphia Public Schools are most well-known for issues with asbestos. Since 2019, more than a dozen schools have closed temporarily or indefinitely due to asbestos in school buildings. One long-time teacher even developed mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer caused only by asbestos.
Other school systems across the country have dealt with asbestos issues. Some school officials in school districts have even faced criminal charges for accusations of negligence and endangerment of students and staff.
From reports, it seems the school officials at Abingdon Elementary School and the Washington County Public Schools District responded appropriately to finding asbestos and trying to keep students and teachers safe.
Sources & Author
- School system notified of violations after asbestos found in Abingdon Elementary. WJHL news Channel 11. Retrieved from: https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/school-system-notified-of-violations-after-asbestos-found-in-abingdon-elementary/. Accessed: 03/03/2025.
Sources & Author
